Cast out your demons to restore your reputation

Sir Roger said there was a danger of politicians jumping on the anti-business bandwagon for political gainBen Gurr for The Times

The bosses of Britain’s businesses have been told to cut out corporate malpractice and greed — by their own leaders at the CBI.

In a stinging repudiation of unacceptable behaviour, Sir Roger Carr, the boardroom veteran who is the CBI’s president, and its director-general John Cridland told 1,200 delegates at the body’s conference that British business had earned itself a bad reputation.

Sir Roger, the chairman of Centrica and former chairman of Cadbury, said: “It’s pretty evident what the public don’t like about the corporate demons. Rewards for failure. High incomes for mediocre performance. Lies, half-truths and hidden agendas. Skullduggery. Market abuse. Corporate speak. Incompetence.

“If we are to ensure that business is both respected in society and is the career destination of choice for…